What to wear: Men – jeans or nice trousers and a shirt; women – jeans and a smart top or a smart dress

Ambience: Busy, fun, nautical theme

Course of the meal: Ravioli with spinach and ricotta

If I could change one thing: Give out butter with the bread

Review:

La Goletta is the more ‘casual’ restaurant inside Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni (as opposed to the Michelin-starred Mistral). It has a nicely-executed nautical theme inside, and was busy with hotel guests dressed up and enjoying the traditional Italian dishes and wine. I went with my partner Owl for dinner but lunch would also be great as you

The wine was very moderately priced and delicious – we selected a bottle of red Chianti Classico. The bread was plentiful and presented with balsamic and olive oil. My starter of an avocado salad with citrus fruits, smoked salmon, yoghurt and chive dressing, which was perfectly light and balanced. My partner Owl’s beef carpaccio with mozzarella pieces was good if not a standout example of that dish.

My main course of ravioli with spinach and ricotta was sumptuous and not too big, while my partner Owl’s fried mix of sea and lake fish was very fresh and included prawns and calamari. Our desserts were chocolate fondant with vanilla custard and cherries soaked in alcohol, and a panna cotta with raspberry sauce and berries – my panna cotta was a thousand times better than the examples in chain English restaurants.

La Goletta is a good choice for a smart / casual lunch or dinner if you are in Bellagio and want to check out the wonderful Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni.